How to reset the Windows DRM system:
These instructions were copied from the Microsoft Windows Media support site as a convenience, and we advise you to use the most recent version (as of 2/9/09 ) which can be found here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/webhelp/default.aspx&mpver=11.0.5721.5145&id=C00D11D7&originalid=C00D2760
DISCLAIMER
This document has procedures to reset the Windows DRM system, and includes deleting files, directories and changing Windows Registry settings. These procedures are considered "advanced" and not suggested for anyone without advanced Windows troubleshooting experience. Following these procedures can damage the files on your computer leaving it unbootable or cause you to permanently loose data and files. Do not attempt these procedures until you have a full and complete backup of all your files.
IMPORTANT BEFORE YOU PROCEED: Resetting the Windows DRM system will erase any existing DRM licenses. If you perform these steps, you might not be able to use your protected content until you download new media usage rights from your content provider. Before proceeding, visit your content provider's website to determine what its policy is for restoring media usage rights (also known as licenses).
If you have Windows XP:
1. First, reinstall Windows Media Player. You should reinstall Windows Media Player version 11 by visiting the Windows Media Download Center.
2. Try to use a protected file in Windows Media Player. If the problem is resolved, do not proceed to the next step. If the problem persists, proceed to the next step.
3. Reset the Windows Media DRM system. If the previous step failed to resolve this error, you will need to reset your computer's DRM system by performing the following:
To reset the Windows Media DRM system
Warning Resetting the DRM system will delete the media usage rights (also known as licenses) for your protected files. To play, burn, or sync any protected files on your computer, you will need to download new rights from your content providers. In some limited cases, it might not be possible to download new rights for certain files. Before resetting your DRM system, contact your online store for more information about its policies regarding rights download. In addition, if you are running Windows XP Media Center Edition or Windows Media Center for Windows Vista and you reset your DRM system, you might not be able to play any copy-protected TV shows that you have previously recorded.
1. Verify that Windows is configured to show hidden files and protected operating system files.
To show hidden and protected files
1. Do one of the following:
§ If you are running Windows XP, click Start, and then click My Computer. Click the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click the View tab.
§ If you are running Windows Vista, click Start, and then click Computer. Click Organize , click Folder Options, and then click the View tab.
2. Click Show hidden files and folders, and then clear the Hide protected operating system files check box.
2. If you are running Windows XP Media Center Edition or Windows Media Center for Windows Vista, stop Media Center Receiver Service (ehrecvr).
To stop the ehrecvr service
1. Do one of the following:
§ If you are running Windows XP, click Start, click Run, and then type cmd in the Open box.
§ If you are running Windows Vista, click Start, and then type cmd in the Search box.
2. At the command prompt, type the following: net stop ehrecvr
3. Open the Windows Media DRM folder.
In Windows XP, the DRM folder is typically located at C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\DRM. In Windows Vista, the DRM folder is typically located at C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\DRM. If you cannot locate the DRM folder on your computer, perform the following procedure.
To find the location of the DRM folder
Warning Incorrectly editing the registry may severely damage your system. At the very least, you should back up any valued data on the computer before making changes to the registry. For information about backing up and restoring the registry, see Windows Help and Support.
1. Do one of the following:
§ If you are running Windows XP, click Start, click Run, and then type regedit in the Open box.
§ If you are running Windows Vista, click Start, and then type regedit in the Search box.
2. Expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\DRM key.
3. In the pane on the right, double-click DataPath.
4. In the Edit Binary Value dialog box, look at the column on the right to find the location of the DRM folder.
4. Select all of the files in the DRM folder, and then press DELETE.
5. Restart your computer.
Resetting the Windows Media DRM system will not allow you to use your existing protected content, but it will allow to use protected content that you download in the future. To use your existing protected content, you will need to download new, valid media usage rights from your content provider. Consult your content provider for more information.
Windows Vista
§ Reset the Windows Media DRM system. You will need to reset your computer's DRM system by performing the following procedure:
To reset the Windows Media DRM system
Warning Resetting the DRM system will delete the media usage rights (also known as licenses) for your protected files. To play, burn, or sync any protected files on your computer, you will need to download new rights from your content providers. In some limited cases, it might not be possible to download new rights for certain files. Before resetting your DRM system, contact your online store for more information about its policies regarding rights download. In addition, if you are running Windows XP Media Center Edition or Windows Media Center for Windows Vista and you reset your DRM system, you might not be able to play any copy-protected TV shows that you have previously recorded.
1. Verify that Windows is configured to show hidden files and protected operating system files.
To show hidden and protected files
1. Do one of the following:
§ If you are running Windows XP, click Start, and then click My Computer. Click the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click the View tab.
§ If you are running Windows Vista, click Start, and then click Computer. Click Organize , click Folder Options, and then click the View tab.
2. Click Show hidden files and folders, and then clear the Hide protected operating system files check box.
2. If you are running Windows XP Media Center Edition or Windows Media Center for Windows Vista, stop Media Center Receiver Service (ehrecvr).
To stop the ehrecvr service
1. Do one of the following:
§ If you are running Windows XP, click Start, click Run, and then type cmd in the Open box.
§ If you are running Windows Vista, click Start, and then type cmd in the Search box.
2. At the command prompt, type the following: net stop ehrecvr
3. Open the Windows Media DRM folder.
In Windows XP, the DRM folder is typically located at C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\DRM. In Windows Vista, the DRM folder is typically located at C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\DRM. If you cannot locate the DRM folder on your computer, perform the following procedure.
To find the location of the DRM folder
Warning Incorrectly editing the registry may severely damage your system. At the very least, you should back up any valued data on the computer before making changes to the registry. For information about backing up and restoring the registry, see Windows Help and Support.
1. Do one of the following:
§ If you are running Windows XP, click Start, click Run, and then type regedit in the Open box.
§ If you are running Windows Vista, click Start, and then type regedit in the Search box.
2. Expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\DRM key.
3. In the pane on the right, double-click DataPath.
4. In the Edit Binary Value dialog box, look at the column on the right to find the location of the DRM folder.
4. Select all of the files in the DRM folder, and then press DELETE.
5. Restart your computer.
Resetting the Windows Media DRM system will not allow you to use your existing protected content, but it will allow to use protected content that you download in the future. To use your existing protected content, you will need to download new, valid media usage rights from your content provider. Consult your content provider for more information.
For more troubleshooting help, please visit: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/windowsvista/troubleshooting.aspx
